Tatyana Plotnikova of Bodyvita on pilates

Owner Tatyana Plotnikova is from Georgia and was previously a successful synchronized swimmer. When she was introduced to Pilates, she tried numerous things. "The first time I stood in an ice-cold room and didn't understand a thing," Plotnikova said. She trained out in numerous studios and developed more and more.

At some point, when she started coaching people to do Pilates herself, it went by storm; she ended up having so many appointments that at one point renting rooms was no longer an option. She decided to open her own studio on Amsterdam's Kerkstraat: BodyVita.

Opening my own studio didn't exactly go smoothly. "When I started my studio on Church Street, the building didn't have a single window. I didn't know how to ever turn that location into a beautiful studio. In the end it worked out and I am immensely proud of the result," Plotnikova said. Plotnikova's empire has since grown into a household name and, in addition to the studio on Kerkstraat, another location has been added, the one in Amsterdam-Zuid. At BodyVita, different types of workouts are offered. You can join a group lesson in a relatively small group, but you can also be guided individually by one of the team members of BodyVita.

According to Plotnikova, Pilates can help with many different problems or goals. These include losing weight and building muscle, but also, for example, recovery from surgery or relief from other physical complaints. "Pilates is very mindful, it's basically intelligent movement. For example if I ask you to lift a bottle of water. Then I ask you to lift a chair. Many people use the same amount of force for both tasks. By practicing pilates, you learn that this is not necessary at all," Plotnikova said. According to the former synchronized swimmer, pilates is much more than exercise alone. 

Pilates according to the Bodyvita method
Bodyvita's Pilates method not only promotes physical fitness, but is especially focused on strengthening the bond between body and mind. In a supple and strong body, life energy can flow freely, resulting in a better mental well-being. Pilates classes are suitable for anyone who wants to be powerful in life, regardless of age, gender or physical limitations. 

Anyone can join BodyVita; in fact, the team of trainers at BodyVita is very diverse and internationally Oriented. There are trainers who speak English, Russian, Spanish, Italian and even Slovakian. Also, all trainers have different backgrounds, to provide the right guidance for each individual. One is a dancer by birth, the other a physical therapist. 

You have to trust your trainer and sometimes face pain or discomfort. When you get through this eventually you can achieve great results."

Practicing pilates at BodyVita definitely takes dedication, according to Plotnikova. "Some people think it all comes naturally when they lay down on the couch here in the studio. Of course, that's not how it works." She says it's a matter of confidence and discipline. Moving intelligently to achieve any goal takes more than half an hour a week. In return, the specialized team at BodyVita is there to help you reach your goal.

Bodyvita can be found at Queen's Road 145H in South and at Church Street 276 in the Center.